Moon – Page 13 – Footloose Forever

Bask in the Warmth of Southwest Hospitality at these Top Boutique Hotels in Albuquerque

Albuquerque Hotels, Hotels in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Boutique hotels in USA

After the Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque is warming up for winter. The largest city in New Mexico has all the potential to serve as a tourist hotspot. For a happening winter vacation here is a list of some of the top boutique stays in Albuquerque to help you select your accommodation.

Image: Fest300

Hotel Cascada

If you want to enjoy the fun of water rides in a family vacation, Hotel Cascada is the best option. This beautiful resort has 300 spacious rooms and suites featuring distinctive interior decorated with deluxe furnishings. The effect of luxury is further enhanced with king beds, expensive linens, in-room climate control, 42” television, work desk, high-speed internet, large closet with drawers, and many more. Be their guest and you are offered cashless wristbands to use the onsite water park during your stay. There are no extra charges for kids under 18, staying in the same room with parents.

Image: Hotel Cascada

Isleta Resort & Casino

Isleta Resort & Casino redefines luxury with its opulently designed 201 rooms and an array of modern amenities for the guests. The resort houses fine dining restaurant, luxury spa, fitness center, golf club, and a state-of-the-art conference center. The rooms come with soft beds with expensive linens, couches, work desk, and flat-screen TV with digital channels. Fully tiled en suite bathrooms are equipped with bathtub, shower, vanity, and toiletries. You can spend hours of solitude by Isleta Lake and RV Park. In the evening, enjoy music and wine at the Center Bar or try your luck at the hotel’s casino.

MCM Eleganté Suites

Immerse yourself in luxury in the traditionally decorated rooms in MCM Eleganté Suites. The room facilities at this centrally located Albuquerque hotel include luxurious bedding, sleeper sofa, work desk with table lamp and chair, iron with ironing board, and room service. Guests can use Wi-Fi Internet for free. The hotel’s family suite comes with a well-equipped kitchen and separate living and bedrooms. Enjoy the benefit of the hotel’s exclusive Guest Reward programs, which let you earn points that you can redeem in the form of free night stays at the hotel or a Visa Gift Card.

Image: MCM Eleganté Suites

Nativo Lodge

If you want to experience the warm hospitality of the Southwest in its true sense Nativo Lodge is the place to choose. This Native American style boutique hotel in Albuquerque offers non-smoking rooms with high-end facilities. The list includes free Wi-Fi Internet, flat-screen TV, plush beds, private balcony, room service, refrigerator on request, and many more. Guests can also enjoy free access to the hotel’s swimming pools and onsite parking. Pet lovers please note that the hotel has pet-friendly policies.

Image: Nativo Lodge

Albuquerque ClubHouse Inn & Suites

If you are looking for a pet-friendly boutique hotel that offers upscale accommodation and amenities within budget check out Albuquerque ClubHouse Inn & Suites. The hotel houses an array of wheelchair-accessible rooms that are spacious and elegantly decorated for your ultimate comfort. Each of the guest rooms and suites come with a large bed, pullout sofa, work desk with ergonomically designed chair, high-speed internet, 32” flat-screen TV, telephone, coffee maker, and complimentary buffet breakfast. Hotel amenities include outdoor heated pool and fitness center.

Hotel Formule1 – A promise for best stays in HITEC Hyderabad

December 8, 2015Posted in TravelTagged AccorHotels, Hotel Formule1, hotels in Hyderabad, Hyderabad hotels3 Comments

Hotel Formule1, a swanky hotel with trendy accommodations and superior hospitality, is the newest jewel in the crown of HITEC Hyderabad. Located in the heart of Cyberabad, the IT hub of Hyderabad city, this hotel is gradually becoming a popular choice of accommodation for young business as well as leisure travellers.

With an array of upscale amenities, Hotel Formule1 is a rest assured brand in the low cost segment of hotels within your budget.

Let me explain why.

Convenient location

A brand by AccorHotels, Hotel Formule1 awaits you in the heart of modern Hyderabad’s commercial district. The corporate business parks, Hyderabad’s international convention centre and Shilparamam cultural centre are a stone’s throw away from the hotel. Leisure travellers would be happy to find the shopping plazas and restaurants are located in the vicinity.

High-tech rooms and facilities

The hotel houses an array of 150 well-appointed rooms featuring LED television with satellite channels, compact work desk, dresser and attached bathroom. Accor hotels are known to offer excellent sleep experience to their guests. The concept is actualized in Hotel Formule1 with soundproof, air-conditioned rooms featuring large bed with soft pillows and linens. Soothing, minimalist interior design creates an ambiance of peace and comfort as soon as you step inside.

‘Always more’ launch offer

Room price starts from INR 2399 per night. Pay one rupee more and you will be endowed with a handful of complimentary services, which include Wi-Fi internet access, local transport facility and a sumptuous buffet breakfast to start your day.

Technology driven amenities

At Hotel Formule1, amenities are designed in line with the spirit of the high-tech city, incorporating technology to ensure ultimate comfort of its guests. The touch of modern technology is evident everywhere as a hallmark of Accor Hotels. Round-the-clock security, ample space for car parking and special access for differently abled guests are some of the additional facilities that guests can avail at this hotel.

Responsible travelling

Hotel Formule1 encourages responsible travelling in its effort of reducing carbon footprints. Being a part of Accor Hotels’ Planet 21 Sustainable Development Programme the hotel features a Green Zone where you can rent bicycles for local sightseeing.

Once you check in to Hotel Formule1, one of the best India hotels in Hyderabad, rest assured that you would receive the best of care. For more updates on travel, accommodation and special offers, you can visit their Facebook page here – https://www.facebook.com/FORMULE1Hotel.

Drukgyel Dzong: A haunted monastery in Paro

November 2, 2015November 2, 2015Posted in BhutanTagged Bhutan, Bhutan Tour, Drukgyel Dzong, Paro, Paro Sightseeing17 Comments

It was a partly cloudy day when we started for our sightseeing in Paro.

By the time we reached Drukgyel Dzong after exploring Kichu Monastery the sky was dark, covered with monsoon clouds.

Drukgyel Dzong was built in the 17th century to celebrate victory of the then king against the invaders from Tibet. It is a deserted monastery for years now after it was destroyed in fire in the 1950s. It looked more like a haunted place to me… perfect for shooting horror movies. 😛

The dilapidated walls and tall structure looked even gloomier against the dismal sky.

Our driver told it was a small trek of about 15 minutes up the hill to the main entrance of the monastery. Although the drizzle started as soon as we reached there and most of my companions decided not to go out as it will rain soon, I readily jumped out of the car in search of some mystery. 😉

A giant prayer wheel at the foot of the hill,

and the colorful prayer flags hung over our head looked welcoming at first.

But this canine guard gave a grave look at me as I stepped into its territory.

As I kept walking I could see there was no one except me and my friend. An eerie silence prevailed all over the place. The rustling pines in the cold wind amplified the silence further.

The stoned pathway led to stone steps. We stopped for a moment to breathe some air.

We climbed up the spiral stairs to find what was in store for us… and Drukgyel did not disappoint us. 🙂

Finally we reached at the main gate of the monastery.

A glimpse of the outer courtyard through the half-open door was quite dramatic. Inside, it looked like a fortress with thick brick walls with openings to keep watch over the valley.

The burnt windows, broken walls and the mysterious darkness inside gave an uncanny feeling as if something evil was waiting inside.

Well… I don’t believe in ghosts… but as my friend constantly forbade me to step inside I thought I should honor her wish… 😛 😀

So, how do you like the story of the haunted monastery? 🙂 Do share your thoughts.

P.S: This is Part VII of my Bhutan Tour Photo Essay Series. You can also check out the previous posts of this series for more photos and information on Bhutan travel.

Treat – For Your Eyes Only

November 1, 2015November 1, 2015Posted in PhotographyTagged Bhutan, Nature, Paro, Photo challenge22 Comments

“Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive and even spiritual satisfaction.”

~ E. O. Wilson

Nature in its full bloom is always a treat to the eye… what do you say? 🙂

Published in response to the Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: Treat.

Bhutan Tour: Kichu Monastery in Paro

October 26, 2015Posted in BhutanTagged Bhutan, Bhutan Tour, bhutan travel, Kichu Monastery, Paro21 Comments

This post is a continuation of my earlier post My Rendezvous with Paro.

After reaching our hotel in Paro we dumped our luggage in our rooms and set out to explore the place.

We were back on the road again. Our first stop was Kichu Monastery.

Kyichu Lhakhang or Kichu Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan. It is situated in a secluded place outside the town. The monastery, from its elevated position, offers wonderful views of the surrounding valley.

The monastery houses a golden statue of Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche inside the core temple. However, you are not allowed to take your camera inside.

As we entered the monastery I could see a blast of colors everywhere –

on the front fascia,

on the doors and windows,

on the prayer wheels,

and in the garden.

Even the old monk preaching at the gate of the temple looked quite a colorful person. Isn’t it? 🙂

There were orange trees in the temple courtyard that were full of ripe oranges even in June!

Kichu Monastery is a peaceful quiet place, ideal for spending some time contemplating amidst nature and sacred structures.

Even I tried to concentrate in prayer. But…you know, I found that it’s not my cup of tea… no matter where I am… 😀

P.S: This is Part VI of my Bhutan Tour Photo Essay Series. You can also check out the previous posts of this series for more photos and information on Bhutan travel.

An (Extra)ordinary Evening in Varanasi

October 17, 2015October 25, 2015Posted in Photo challengeTagged evening aarti varanasi, Ghats, ghats in Varanasi, lights, night photography, Photo challenge, reflection, Varanasi18 Comments

“Creativity is putting your imagination to work, and it’s produced the most extraordinary results in human culture.”

~ Ken Robinson

It was an ordinary evening in Varanasi that we were boating along the river Ganges. The lights on the ghats turned on one by one as the dusk fell over the city. The priests were waving the lamps towards the holy river Ganges to perform the evening aarti, which is a ritual performed regularly on the famous Dasaswamedh Ghat in Varanasi. The tapering flames of the lamps were clearly visible from a distance. The reflection of lights in the rippling water made the scene extraordinary. It looked like the water caught fire. 🙂

I tried to capture the view with my Sony Cyber Shot W-190. But, I was standing in the middle of a moving rowing boat and made quite an effort to maintain my balance. 🙂 So, you can see, most of the images became blurry. That time I was upset and thought about deleting these images. But thank god, I didn’t! Now when I look back these ordinary images they remind me of those ‘extra’ ordinary moments in Varanasi.

Published in response to the Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: (Extra)ordinary.

Bhutan Tour: My Rendezvous with Paro

October 13, 2015July 13, 2016Posted in BhutanTagged Bhutan, Bhutan Tour, hill station, hills, Himalayas, mountain, Paro, Paro chhu, valley18 Comments

If I start talking (read ‘writing’) about Paro I won’t be able to include everything in one post. Paro is so beautiful and that beauty has so many facets to it that it is impossible for me to sum it up here. So it’s better to share the picturesque beauty in picture instead of words. 🙂

Finally the day came. We had to leave Thimphu for Paro. Our journey to Paro started at 10:30 am (IST) and we reached there at 12:30 pm (IST).

Paro, a fertile valley on the banks of the river Paro, surrounded by the sublime Himalayan Mountains, beckons travelers with its greenery, scenic beauty, and ample scope to explore the rich cultural heritage of Bhutan.

I had heard a lot about this spectacular valley, which is dotted with monasteries, sacred edifices and landmarks,

and a small but lively township, which we were to explore next.

The river Paro meanders through the vale dividing it in two halves.

Although there were occasional rain clouds hovering over the valley, the weather in Paro was warmer during the day than that was in Thimphu. But the nights were pleasant in summer months (May-June).

Initially, it was mountains on both sides of the road.

As we entered Paro District the roads turned wider. The glimpses of the river running in parallel with the road made the journey even more exciting and visually appealing.

Finally we reached the point where we could meet Paro, the river. This is the place where you can touch, feel, and walk into the cool waters and enjoy a cable car ride across the river. 🙂

After an exciting rendezvous with Paro Chhu (‘chhu’ is river in vernacular) we were back on the road again, heading towards our hotel. We drove past the small cottages,

lush green paddy fields,

and the small but spectacular Paro Airport.

It seemed Paro greeted us with waving white flags on the roadside

and the rustling branches of peaches blooming with white flowers, everywhere. 🙂

Our car finally stopped at the gate of the hotel Mandala Resort Garden, a hotel with excellent views, I must say.

Whichever side your room is, you are entitled to get a clear view of the valley from the room as long as you are in Mandala Resort Garden. However, it is located in the hills outside the town of Paro, within 10 minutes’ drive from Paro Market.

I’ll soon share the story of my sightseeing in Paro. But before that, enjoy some more colorful panorama of this beautiful valley through my lens. 🙂

Hope you enjoyed Paro tour with me. 🙂 Stay tuned for more.

P.S: This is Part V of my Bhutan Tour Photo Essay Series. You can also check out the first four posts of this series for more photos and information on Bhutan travel.